NE SNC WATERSHED CONDITIONS

Ottawa
Cornwall

2009 SNC Flood Messages
City of Ottawa
Ministry of Natural Resources
Flood Preparation
Sandbagging

Ottawa River
St. Lawrence River

Photos


SOUTH NATION CONSERVATION FLOOD FORECASTING AND WARNING

One of the responsibilities of SNC is to maintain a flood warning system throughout the jurisdiction to alert municipalities, media, local police, Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources of flood threats. The purpose of SNC's flood warning system is two-fold:

1. To provide advance notice of flood conditions to member municipalities and the public so that municipal officials and citizens can respond in a timely manner to avoid or minimize the loss of property.

2. To provide on-going updates of flood forecasts and watershed conditions during a flood event.

Flood forecasting is a provincially mandated service provided to municipalities by Conservation Authorities. South Nation Conservation maintains a network of flood forecasting stations and monitors weather and flood information in order to notify municipalities of flood advisory or flood warning situations. To accomplish these goals, SNC maintains a Flood Forecasting and Warning system as follows:

1. Monitoring Network and Data Collection System: SNC, in partnership with MNR, maintains a network of stream gauges, rain gauges and snow course sites within SNC's jurisdiction. This data can be used to quantify the components of the hydrologic cycle. Monitoring also include visual inspections of watercourses.

2. Daily Planning Cycle: The daily planning cycle is a series of scheduled tasks, performed daily to ensure that the flood potential can be identified in a timely manner. The Daily Planning Cycle includes the analysis of the following parameters: " Daily calculation of the 8:00 a.m. flows. " Daily check of forecasts for weather conditions, precipitation and temperatures. " Snow and ice survey data. " River watch data. After the Daily Planning Cycle parameters are analyzed, SNC is able to predict the flood potential (Low, Moderate or High).

3. Messaging: SNC will make every effort to send out flood warning messages with enough lead time to allow member municipalities and the public to respond to a flood.

FLOOD MESSAGES


Three types of flood messages may be issued by SNC depending upon the situation:

1. Watershed Conditions Bulletin
Bulletins are general notices of potential watershed conditions that pose a risk to personal safety (high flows, unsafe ice, etc.). Bulletins are primarily directed to flood coordinators and media throughout the watershed, and serve to report on general watershed conditions. A Watershed Conditions bulletin is usually issued before overbank flow occurs, before Spring break-up or any other time of year, as conditions warrant, or as a general reminder of the potential for high flows and unsafe conditions. They are distributed to Municipalities, MNR, Environment Canada, media.

2. Flood Advisory
A Flood Advisory is issued to notify Municipalities and other primary contacts that the potential for flooding exists. The Flood Advisory will include the watershed conditions, the potential impact and a hydrometeorologic forecast. Municipalities receiving a Flood Advisory should initiate a check on their municipal emergency plans. They are distributed to Municipalities, MNR, Police, media.

3. Flood Warning
A Flood Warning with the title "ACTION" will be issued as a notice that flooding is imminent. Municipalities receiving a Flood Warning should commence the issuing of warnings to households, businesses and industries, which might be threatened. Municipalities should be referring to their municipal emergency plans. Flood Warnings shall be faxed and receipt confirmed by telephone. When a Flood Warning message has been prepared and the prime method of communication is inoperable, every alternate means of transmission must be considered, whether it is by radio, vehicle or on foot.